Aero Asset Q3 Heli Market Trends reports stable sales volume, shrinking supply
There has been a decrease in supply of preowned twin-engine helicopters and stable retail transaction volume year-over-year, according to Aero Asset’s third quarter (Q3) 2021 Heli Market Trends report.
“Year-to-date retail sales were stable compared to the same period in 2020,” said Aero Asset vice president of Market Research, Valerie Pereira. “In the last quarter, many aircraft for sale were removed from market and returned to service, translating into a 24 % reduction of supply for sale year over year, to 196 units at the end of Q3.”
In 2021, 98 preowned twin-engine helicopters were sold to retail buyers on and off market, totalling $263m. This dollar sales volume was down 26% year-over-year, mainly because of a significant decrease in heavy retail sales activity over same period.
VIP-configured twin helicopter sales volume rose 8%. This was the best performing market segment year-to-date. North America was the best performing region, accounting for a third of all retail transactions.
The best performing preowned twin-engine helicopter market is the Airbus EC/H145, followed by the Leonardo AW109S/SP and the Sikorsky S76C+/C++.
Deals at various stages of transaction were down by 24% in the third quarter versus the second. However, the number of deals pending remained 23% higher compared with the third quarter of 2020.
Light twin-engine retail sales volume increased 5% versus the same period in 2020, while medium twin retail sales were up 43%. Heavy retail sales declined substantially over the same period.
Worldwide helicopter flights experienced a sharp rebound in the first quarter. North America saw 256,126 helicopter flights in Q3 2021, a 36 % increase from last year. While Europe saw 192,976 helicopter flights in Q3, a 23% increase. South America saw the biggest increase in helicopter flights Q3 2021 reaching 22,048 flights, a 155% increase from the same time last year.
Aero Asset’s Heli Market Trends report, Q3 2021
- Retail transaction volume remained stable
- Decrease in supply of preowned twin-engine helicopters
- Best performing preowned twin-engine helicopter: Airbus EC/H145
- 155% increase in helicopter flights in South America
